Grief and Loss Counseling in Clarkston, MI.

Losing someone or something is incredibly hard. I believe that one of the great myths that we are told is simply that “time heals all wounds.” Time can actually reinforce the pain of loss and it is important to mourn and grieve that which we no longer have. I am honored to partner with my clients on their journey through healing and finding peace after a loss. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

The most difficult part of life is experiencing the loss of a loved one. Nothing we experience is more painful than this. Despite this often incapacitating pain, with work and time, one can heal and overcome. When this occurs, one emerges from the pain as a new person, in ways that one could not formerly conceive. A large part of my work is guiding people through this process, as I am deeply familiar with it, both personally and professionally.

When someone we love dies it shatters our world. After the shock wears off the pain sets in and life becomes a struggle as we try to rebuild our life without the person we love. Healing from grief takes time, longer than most people realize. My prior experience as a Hospice bereavement counselor has given me an in depth understanding of the grieving process. The approach I use helps the grieving person understand the bereavement process in order to normalize their grief and give expression to their many emotions. I also address the other factors that may complicate the grief. Grief counseling can help you begin to heal and eventually find meaning and purpose in your life.

Grief therapy aims to help people cope with grief and mourning following the death of loved ones, or with major life changes that trigger feelings of grief (e.g., divorce, major illness). Everyone experiences and expresses grief in their own way, often shaped by culture. They believe that it is not uncommon for a person to withdraw from their friends and family and feel helpless; some might be angry. One can expect a wide range of emotion and behavior associated with grief. We believe that in all places and cultures, the grieving person benefits from the support of others.

Grief and loss are experienced not only when losing a loved one but when a relationship ends, a sex life declines and a person experiences a coming out process. The grief and loss attached to endings of a way of life can be just as devastating if not moreso. In death, the end is final. In grief involving relationships things change and grief can be prolonged. Coming out as LGBT one experiences loss of heterosexual privilege which can be painful. Losing trust with a spouse after cheating and affairs is hard to recover from and grief gets in the way of recovery.

Grief is a natural reaction to any form of loss, especially someone’s death. It goes beyond mere sadness and often evokes feelings of confusion, doubt, guilt, anger, and other complex emotions. ​ There’s no right way to grieve — everyone reacts to loss differently and grieves in their own way. There’s also no normal duration for grief; it may take months or years to accept the loss of a loved one. Nonetheless, most people can indeed recover from loss with the help of a great social support network and healthy coping mechanisms. Grief counseling provides the necessary support for those finding it hard to recover.

Recognizing that people deal with loss and grief in a variety of ways that are unique to who they are, there prior experiences with loss and grief, I meet each person where they are at and attempt to faciliate them through their grieving process that is unique to who each person is utilizing their strengths. In addition, I educate clients on the different feelings, etc. that they might be experiencing and help them label it in a way that makes sense for them and who they are.

I know personally what it is to experience loss. My clients sense I can relate to their unique situation, and are surprised to learn about the User-Friendly tools that help each person to maximize their recovery in a short period of time!!! I help them to determine their losses from the event and the feelings associated with these losses. Then we examine the consequences of the loss-feeling combinations. Often we use EMDR from there to settle the feelings and turn around any negative self-belief that has arisen from the losses. This turns out to be a fairly quick process even for those who have years of grief over their loss(es).

Grief can be experienced in many different ways which include death, abandonment, a breakup, or any other kind of loss, It is important that each individual has the space to explore their own grief. My approach incorporates understanding the five stages of grief, with additional emphasis on the sixth stage, where I will work with you to find meaning. Techniques include talk-therapy, drawing, and writing.

Often times, scheduling your first appointment is one of the most difficult steps of the counseling process; I'm glad you're here. During our time together, I hope to offer you support in the areas in which you are having difficulty. There are various methods of Personal Counseling, each based on the individual counselor and the needs of the client.

Dealing with grief and loss is an experience no one wants to go through, yet a club that unfortunately almost everyone eventually joins. When you lose someone important in your life, it is like the world is on a moving sidewalk and everyone keeps going when you have stepped off and are watching life go by. There are no right ways or wrong ways to grieve. It is only important to allow yourself whatever you need as you go through the experience. It is very lonely to take the journey alone; I am here to walk beside you as you start to heal.

I am a psychotherapist who understands life, especially after a significant loss, can feel like a daily struggle. No one should have to endure these feelings alone. I compassionately listen and support clients as well as offer a therapeutic counseling relationship that provides the opportunity to emotionally move forward and bring a healthy balance back into their lives. It is possible to heal, gain a sense of well-being, restore hope, and rekindle happiness even during the most challenging times.

Grief is a natural part of life; we will eventually have to say goodbye to everything we love and are connected to. Yet, for many of us, grief does not feel natural. Sometimes we might feel angry about our losses -- that life is unjust. We might be depressed and longing for our loved one's presence again. Grief is a process. It takes time to heal. Often, people think "what is the use of counseling when they won't bring my loved one back?" There can be healing inside you even if your loved one cannot come back. Don't be alone in your grief.

Everyone experiences loss (loss of loved ones, our own health/ability, our dreams, etc.) and we all need to grieve in our own unique way. The most frequent question people asked me when I was a hospice Bereavement Coordinator was, "Am I grieving normally?" Almost every time, the answer was a resounding "Yes!" While there are certain common experiences with grief, there are no hard and fast rules (or even steps, as some contend) and there are definitely no timetables.

The unfortunate truth is that we all will experience grief and loss in our lifetime, and coping with loss is something that our society does not do well. I am here to support you through your loss whether it is the loss of a loved one, a beloved pet, a job, or any other loss that you have experienced. If you could benefit from someone to talk to, to share your feelings, for practical advice on handling the well-meaning people around you, or help to adjust to the new reality that has been thrust on you, I would very much like to help you.

People suffering from grief and loss need support, love and hope. This is what I do my best to give them and I help them to realize that they are not damaged by these difficult circumstances and that their health and happiness will return. Also, I help them to see that their is no right way to grieve and that it is OK to have times of peace and enjoyment.

Grey Matters International and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D approaches issues of grief & loss through the lens of innovation----instead of growing the same neural networks responsible for the pain in weekly therapy sessions, we reset the brain to move forward quicker and efficiently by working on the stuck limbic system so as to empower the person with more success and traction. For no one wants to stay in a grief mode for too long; but when you don’t include the brain in your work with someone, you risk describing the water to them while they drown and calling it success. Contact Grey Matters International, Inc now at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or 877-606-6161.

A painful process can be coming to terms with loss and understanding it. Certainly, counseling can be a valuable resource for individuals dealing with grief. As a counselor, I help clients through exploring emotions, helping them identify and understand their feelings. Clients also can benefit from various coping strategies and techniques to navigate their grief. Call today for more information.